I am in the market for a new main sail and am getting very confused with the enormous amount of choices I have. I am price sensitive, but tend to buy value vs price (get what you pay for method), and I am more interested in longgevity of the sail vs performance. I would also like to find a loft/sailmaker in the upper midwest (near Minneapolis if possible) that has experience with the first 235. So far, my research has lead me to the following thoughts: North sails are pricey and their service in the midwest has gotten a bad reputation unless your a well financed racer. Undecided on Sobstad UK is local, but I haven't heard of many references to their cruising sails. Quantum is also local, but they seem new to game and I am unsure where they are price wise. What I would like to know is what sailmaker has proven experience with the 235 and would be willing to talk/educate me on the new sail purchase process?
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235 experience not critical
A good sailmaker will understand enough about your boat... the key is how you intend to use it and if your sailmaker has experience with your kind of usage. If you're doing cruising or club racing, find a loft that makes plenty of sails for that kind of use. Asking around the docks at your marina might be your best bet for a local loft. Asking a local repair guy or yard might work, too. Your assessments of the lofts are in line with mine. You might also look for a Doyle loft, which will be somewhere in the middle of the range. Quantuum sails, I have heard, can be quite expensive. I would avoid offshore lofts. Mail order or online sails could work for you but you'll get less on-site attention and will need to do some measuring and installation yourself. If you're up for that you can find some good prices. Check Airforce and the sails on this site's chandlery, too. there are a couple other online lofts that escape my memory right now.
A good sailmaker will understand enough about your boat... the key is how you intend to use it and if your sailmaker has experience with your kind of usage. If you're doing cruising or club racing, find a loft that makes plenty of sails for that kind of use. Asking around the docks at your marina might be your best bet for a local loft. Asking a local repair guy or yard might work, too. Your assessments of the lofts are in line with mine. You might also look for a Doyle loft, which will be somewhere in the middle of the range. Quantuum sails, I have heard, can be quite expensive. I would avoid offshore lofts. Mail order or online sails could work for you but you'll get less on-site attention and will need to do some measuring and installation yourself. If you're up for that you can find some good prices. Check Airforce and the sails on this site's chandlery, too. there are a couple other online lofts that escape my memory right now.
Good Stuff Cheep
Try Atlantic Sail Traders in Fl. I just bought a mainsail for my Hunter 30 and paid about half price from what Hunter was asking. The service was great and the sales people are really up to date on sale types and have many helpful suggestions. Also they met all of the promises regarding price, quality and delivery. They can be found @ www.usedsails.com. Don't let the usedsails throw you. Good Luck PS How do you like the 235 I'm thinking of getting one.
Try Atlantic Sail Traders in Fl. I just bought a mainsail for my Hunter 30 and paid about half price from what Hunter was asking. The service was great and the sales people are really up to date on sale types and have many helpful suggestions. Also they met all of the promises regarding price, quality and delivery. They can be found @ www.usedsails.com. Don't let the usedsails throw you. Good Luck PS How do you like the 235 I'm thinking of getting one.
Thanks folks
I have been talking with some other sailboat owners at my marina and am getting a feel for the 'local' talent. I could really use and education on the various sailcloth types. The price of Dacron looks great but is there a 'better' dacron cloth and are their others that should be avoided? In response to Joes question: I love the boat!! I've taken a few people used to sailing larger boats sailing and they have all been very impressed with the usage of space, quality of craftsmanship and definitly the performance. To say I'm pleased would be a vast understatement. :~) ~~/)~~
I have been talking with some other sailboat owners at my marina and am getting a feel for the 'local' talent. I could really use and education on the various sailcloth types. The price of Dacron looks great but is there a 'better' dacron cloth and are their others that should be avoided? In response to Joes question: I love the boat!! I've taken a few people used to sailing larger boats sailing and they have all been very impressed with the usage of space, quality of craftsmanship and definitly the performance. To say I'm pleased would be a vast understatement. :~) ~~/)~~
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